THE MARRIAGE BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1920, Page 2

THE MARRIAGE BILL.

j (To the Editor.) j Sir,—Just a few inches of your valuable | space to reply to poor old "Peaceful" re i above subject. Evidently this unan is imj Imert with the same desire fur "peace at any cost." as the statesmen of England were prior to tie Great War. No warnings were •ceded, and those uttering them were branded as fanatics and bigots. They were prepared to tolerate, all kinds of abuse and the violation of principles and agreements sooner than disturb their own "peaceful" slumbers. Their dominating desire was "peace at any cost." Principle must take second place; whereas It should have been principle and treaties first, peace second. "Peaceful" states that: the "Ne Tetnere" decree only applies to members or the Roman Catholic '• church. Apparently be has nor read the evidence produced at the enquiry which led to the Legislative CounoU bringing down the amendment, or else he is looking at the matter through Roman glasses. His statements are quite wrong, as there are loads of evidence that the practise of this wretched decree has produced discord and unl-applness where once there was peace and harmony in the homes of Catholics who have married Protestants. If either Mr. Masters or Mr. Smith did not know much about this subiect and were prepared to be guided bv others who did know, surely they were given a lead of the most atitlentic nature by the Stat, utes Revision Committee and the special committee set up by the House. Both these committees went thoroughly into the queslon. and called special evidence from all sides, and brought strong recommendations for effective legislation to stop the practise of the decree. No, Messrs. Smith and Masters were afraid of offending their Roman Catholic supporters, and were prepared to put "peace" first and "principles" second No, Sir, I would advise that "Peaceful" get a copy of the evidence produced at the enquiry and enllgl-ten himself, before he attempts to educate other people, and abuse those who have carefully studied the question.—l am, etc., "PRINCIPLES FIRST."